British rocketman scores hit in the sky

Artist concept of the rocket Steve Bennett hopes to ride into space

July 6, 2000
Web posted at: 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT)

By Richard Stenger
CNN.com Writer

(CNN) -- An English space enthusiast seeking to become the first amateur explorer in space said he successfully launched a test rocket on Thursday.

"The launch went well," said Steve Bennett, who watched as his 7 meter (23 foot) Starchaser Discovery soared into the sky at a speed of 1,100 km/h (700 mph) within three seconds.

The 36-year-old Bennett hopes to claim the $10 million X-prize, promised by U.S. space boosters for the first private three-person crew that reaches space twice in the same launch vehicle within two weeks.

	ALSO
Space adventurers keep eyes on X-Prize
	INTERACTIVE
Gallery of X-Prize contenders
	MESSAGE BOARD
Private companies in space

A Salford University rocket science professor and the founder of Starchaser Industries, Bennett has tested several rockets and rocket parts in the 1990s. For the Thursday launch he used his first two-stage rocket. The design is similar to the vehicle he plans to use in 2003 for his X-Prize flights.

The bottom section of Discovery fell away at 3,000 feet (914 meters) and the second part reaching, as planned, a height of 19,000 feet (5,791 meters), Bennett said.

"We got both sections back safely with a parachute," he said.

Bennett plans to pilot his X-prize rocket. A second seat on the Thunderbird spacecraft will be raffled over the Internet. A third can be purchased for U.S. $200,000.

"No bucks means no Buck Rogers," his Web site states.

First privately funded manned space mission blasts off for Mir
April 4, 2000
NASA exec suggests ways to build a better space shuttle
April 7, 2000
All eyes on the future as Space Symposium convenes in Colorado
April 4, 2000
'X' marks the future: NASA moves forward with space-planes
August 24, 1999
NASA's rocket-plane takes first test ride
June 29, 1999

Starchaser Industries
X-Prize Foundation web site

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.